HRS Statement on Danish Soccer Star Christian Eriksen’s Second on Field Collapse

WASHINGTON, DC, June 8, 2026 – On Sunday, June 7, 2026, Danish soccer star Christian Eriksen, 34, collapsed on the playing field during a match against Ukraine in Copenhagen. Eriksen remained conscious and walked off the field on his own before being taken to the hospital. It was a much different scene than Erikson’s Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) during a match against Finland in 2021. In that instance, Eriksen required life-saving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from a teammate and an automatic external defibrillator (AED) used by medical staff before regaining consciousness.

The difference this time was that Erikson had an ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) that likely detected and stopped dangerously fast, life-threatening rhythms. After Eriksen’s SCA event in 2021, his doctors performed a procedure to implant his ICD which allowed him to return to playing soccer in the Premier League just eight months later. It’s important to note that ICDs are different from pacemakers. A pacemaker treats a heart that is beating too slowly by providing steady electrical impulses. An ICD detects and stops dangerously fast, life-threatening rhythms using high-energy shocks.

“As the world pulls for Mr. Eriksen to make a full recovery and return to playing soccer again, we are reminded of the importance of CPR and AED training. We are also reminded of the incredible innovations in cardiac electrophysiology including implantable cardioverter defibrillator technologies and advancements in patient care,” said Dr. Sana Al-Khatib, Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) President, board-certified clinical electrophysiologist and Professor of Medicine at Duke University Medical Center. “HRS has been a leader in education on SCA and in driving innovations in this field. Last year, HRS’ advocacy arm, Heart Rhythm Advocates, established an SCA/AED/CPR Taskforce to help elevate public awareness and prevention of SCA. Among several things, this taskforce is focusing on training high school students in CPR and AED use. HRS’ patient and caregiver resource, UpBeat.org also provides an abundance of education and information to people around the world.”

SCA fast facts:

• SCA can happen to people of all ages, even young people.
• SCA is the number one cause of death in young athletes.
• Approximately 2/3 of SCA deaths occur without any prior indications of heart disease.
• SCA is not the same as a heart attack.
  • A heart attack occurs when blood flow (or “plumbing”) to the heart is blocked.
  • SCA is an electrical system malfunction of the heart that causes the heart to stop beating effectively and without warning.
• SCA can cause a person to die if not treated immediately.
• Fortunately, survival rates in SCA can double or triple with quick attention.

Every second counts:

• Sadly, 95% of those who experience SCA outside of a clinical setting die because they do not receive necessary life-saving medical attention including CPR and prompt use of an AED quickly.
• Follow these steps if an SCA emergency is suspected:
  • Know the signs of SCA and react quickly (visit UpBeat.org to learn the signs)
  • Call (or ask someone to call) 911 as soon as possible
  • Start CPR as quickly as possible (visit RedCross.org for CPR certification near you)
  • If available, use an AED as soon as possible (learn where an AED is located in your workplace, gym, public transpiration, frequented businesses, etc.)

If you’re experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911 immediately. If you’d like to find and schedule an appointment with a local heart rhythm specialist physician, use the Find a Specialist tool at the top of any UpBeat.org page.

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About the Heart Rhythm Society

The Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) is a 501(c)(3) international nonprofit organization and the preeminent leader in science, education, and advocacy for cardiac arrhythmia professionals and patients. HRS continues to be the primary information resource on heart rhythm disorders with a mission to improve the care of patients by promoting research, education, and optimal health care policies and standards, and a mission to eliminate death and suffering due to heart rhythm disorders. Incorporated in 1979 and based in Washington, D.C., it has a membership of more than 9,700 heart rhythm professionals in more than 100+ countries around the world. For more information, visit www.HRSonline.org.

About UpBeat

UpBeat is the Heart Rhythm Society’s patient and caregiver resource for all things heart rhythm disorders. This valuable website provides information regarding early warning signs, prevention, treatments, and more. UpBeat.org also offers a Find a Specialist tool that matches users with a local heart rhythm specialist physician based on the user’s address. Healthcare professionals also use UpBeat.org to download information sheets for their patients and caregivers. For more information, visit UpBeat.org.